Improvement in iron fences



2 Sheets--Shee 'l'.

S. SELLERS L W. BESCHKE. lmprovemnt in Ironences. No.126,417.

.2 S. SELLERS 8L w. BESCHKE. Sheets Sheef2 Improvement in Iron-Fences.

126,417. Patented May 7,1872.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL SELLERS AND WILLIAM BESCHKE, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYL- VANIA; SAID BESCHKE ASSIGNOR TO SAID SELLERS.

IMPROVEMENT IN IRON FENCES.

Speciication forming part of Letters Patent No. 126,417, dated May 7, 1872.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, SAMUEL SELLERS and WILLIAM BEscHKE, both of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Iron Railing for Fences, Bridges, &c.; and we do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawing makingpart thereof, in which- Figure 1, Sheet 1, is a view of a panel of rail fencing, with longitudinal vertical sectional views of two forms of posts in which our improvements may be used; Fig. 2, a detached view, showing spring attachment. Figs. 3 to 10, inclusive, Sheet 2, show various modifications and equivalents.

Our invention consists of so attaching the ends of railing inside the posts with springs or slots that allowance is made for the eXpansion or contraction of the railing occasioned by heat and cold or other causes. The springs may be of gum, steel, or any suitable material which will by elasticity compensate for the expansion and contraction as named above.

In the drawing, A, Fig. 1, Sheet 1, is the post; B, the inner cylinder; G, the outer cylinder; D D', the bases; E, springs for securing the ends of the railings to each other F, bolts to secure the bases to the stone or other work beneath; G, the railings; H, the wire or other paneling; I, a cylinder or shell for another form of post; K, the rod or tube screwed :into the cap T and base D for securing and holdin gt-heparts together L, a hand-rail above the rail G, and secured to it; M, a base for the panel H, and secured to the lower rail G. O is the form ct' hole which we prefer to use in connection with our attachment, shaped like an hour-glass--viz., lessening in size toward the middle and expanding toward the bottom. P is a base-plate for the post. T T are caps for the posts; U, a post.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use our invention, we will describe its construction and operation.

The ends of rails G have small holes O in them, through which, after said rails Gr are inserted, the spring E or its equivalent is thrust. The spring may be of steel, gum, or other suitable material. It serves to hold the rails of the different panels firmly secured by a slightly elastic joint, there being sufficient elasticity in the spring to take up or compensate for any expansion or contraction of the panel or rails and yet remain iirm. The post U is constructed as shown in the drawing, and the springs E are inserted horizontally, in the lnanner shown. The lower spring E may be dispensed with, if desired.

We are well aware that springs have been used for the purposes we have described, and therefore do not claim broadly the application of springs to form the joint or connection between sections of railing. The springs shown we prefer to construct of steel.

Among the modifications shown on Sheet 2 there are some which show slotted ends to the rails; some show springs. Figs. 3, 6, 7, 8, and 9 are various ways of using the spiral spring; Fig. 10, two ends of rails overlapped and slotted for the reception of a pin, which allows a slight sliding movement of one rail upon the other; Fig. 4, a curved spring; Fig. 5, a ringspring, secured by pins, as shown; Fig. 6, a slot for a pin; and Fig. 7, a curved spring with pm.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

In combination with a closed hollow post, a compensating joint inside the post for securing the ends ofthe rails together, substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

SAML. SELLERS.

Titnesses: WILLIAM BESCHKE.

S. RIDGWAY KENNEDY, J oIIN A. BICKEL. 

